Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Is In Custody, Charged With Sex Trafficking, & Denied Bail

Sean “Diddy” Combs is in federal custody this morning in New York, and the now unsealed indictment reveals his charges. Included in the indictment are allegations that he operated an “enterprise that he engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor or kidnapping, arson and other crimes.”

Combs’ company, Combs Enterprise, is named in the indictment as operating to transport commercial sex workers both across state lines and internationally. Federal prosecutors say Combs would film the sex workers and victims in a sex act, sometimes without their knowledge. It further states that Combs would promise the victims a romantic relationship before threats and violence were used to force them into these sex acts he called “freak-offs.”

The indictment describes Combs as one who is emotionally and physically abusive, using his fame and power to control those without. His victims were controlled by Combs “granting and threatening to withhold financial support, and by other coercive means, including tracking their whereabouts, dictating the victim’s appearance, monitoring their medical records, controlling their housing, and supplying them with controlled substances.”

Diddy was charged with one count of sex trafficking, one count of racketeering, and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution, according to USA Today. Combs plead not guilty to all three charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky on Tuesday. Following the music mogul’s arraignment hearing, Judge Tarnofsky denied his bail, ruling for Diddy to remain in custody as his trial awaits.

In March of this year, Homeland Security Investigations agents searched two of Combs’ properties in Miami and Los Angeles. Overhead, CNN news video showed agents physically removing a man wearing handcuffs from the home as well as multiple agents walking the grounds of the Miami property.

In May, fans were shocked when a 2016 surveillance video came out showing Combs and his then-girlfriend, singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, in a hotel hallway amid a domestic assault. The video shows Combs running after her, throwing her to the ground, and kicking her twice as she was attempting to leave. In a lawsuit filed by Cassie, it’s alleged that he paid the hotel staff $50K to hand the footage over to him.

The footage was later obtained by CNN and shed light on Combs’ personal life. Combs later apologized saying, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry.”

Fans on X, formerly Twitter, weren’t buying it, “He got caught. He’s doing what he has to. Empty words.” And, “He’s a trash bag.”

Another lawsuit filed by Dawn Richard, formerly of the pop group Danity Kane, alleges that Combs abused her both physically and verbally. In the lawsuit filed a week ago, Richard claims the members of her group, who Combs managed, were “deprived of basic needs and sleep” and forced to work in unfavorable conditions.

Richard says she witnessed him and his then-girlfriend, Kim Porter, in the aftermath of a fight as she tried to intervene. Richard was allegedly told by Combs, “I end people.” And, “You want to die today.” Richard’s lawsuit also states that he sued his power to control her potential earnings.

Combs had a storied career, having been credited with producing rap and hip hop music as well as creating his own. He helped artists such as Mary J. Blige and Usher develop their careers and enjoyed his own success with Bad Boy Entertainment which included a $117 million tour.

If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or go to thehotline.org